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First experience with wandering
Woke up at 1:45 this morning with DH missing. First time he’s ever done anything like this. Sheriff’s office had helicopter going, canine units, added bloodhounds, silver alert, the works. So scary! They found him at around 9 about 4 miles away. He used to always carry his wallet which I had an AirTag in, but stopped…
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When to go to memory care
I sense that I will need to consider this for my DW later this year. When that happens, will she have periods of remembering?
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Cataract surgery
Mom is probably to the end of stage 4. She was diagnosed with vascular dementia 2 years ago. I was told average life expectancy is 5 years. I know that’s just a rough number. She has diabetes with edema in her legs. I don’t think she could follow a storyline to read a book. She is able to choose her meals off the menu at…
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Getting care for my father
I moved my father into my home in January 2024, due to his progressing dementia. He was living with my step mom, who also, due to a health problem, has since moved in with her own children. I am struggling to understand how long-term Medicaid works. I work full-time and I am not able to quit or retire, but I don't want to…
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Leqembi treatments for early dementia
Hello everyone. So my neurologist is sending me to a specialty clinic that does infusion Leqembi treatments. I was wondering if anyone here has been on it and if they have had any problems with brain bleeds or brain swelling. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about it so I can ask the right questions to the specialist.…
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I am just so sad
My DH passed from Alzheimer's on June 17th. We were together for 36 years, most of it very good. I just can't stand the grief. How can someone who was so vibrant simply cease to be? How can I live the rest of my life without him? My mind knows that time will help, but right now it is so hard. This forum has been so helpful…
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My husband is dead
This morning my husband died from Alzheimer's disease. I am incredibly grateful his wretched journey with this disease is over. I did my best as a caregiver though I fell short as you would expect a human to do. I will greatly miss who my husband used to be, but I will never miss what he became as the disease took hold of…
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Unmarried partner not living together
My bf of 77yrar d has had memory issues and I asked him to get evaluated. After months and months with several steps along the way he has been diagnosed with MCI. I can’t keep track of everything he does and it seems like he is forgetting a lot of things. Seems he thought he was scammed the other day and called ti make a…
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What I miss the most
No question just how I feel. I have had a couple of drinks and am sitting in an empty house thinking (drinking and thinking maybe a dangerous combination). I have been married for 49 years and during the first 25 years I thought we had as close to perfect marriage as possible. the last 24 years has been much less than…
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Sudden mental changes
My spouse (70) was recently retested using the MMSE test, her score went from 19 a year ago to 11. Over the past 6 weeks we have experienced significant shifts in personality and overall happiness. Before very generous, she has become very me/mine focused. She does recognize that we are married (48 years), last night…
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A good day!
I wanted to post something positive for a change. 🙂 Today was one of those days with my DH where I say to myself “I can take care of him, no problem”. He was a little bit confused and quiet when he first got up, but was in a good mood all day, no outbursts of anger, only a quick little mention of going “home”, easy to…
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Don’t know how to start, Long Rant Warning!! ⚠️
Okay, I guess I’ve officially “lost it”! I shouldn’t have, but I did. I flew off the handle and screamed and yelled at DW(stage 5/6) this afternoon. I stormed around the house, upset the dogs, and ended with us each going to our separate “corners”. I was an ass, it was bad! The ridiculous last straw was DW trying to feed…
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Home to his parents in the evening
For about a week, DH has been adamant about going hime to his parents or calling his father, etc. Usually it starts around 4:00 so I’m assuming he’s starting to sundown. It’s so hard coming up with fiblets that will satisfy him. I’ve tried so many of the ideas I’ve seen on this forum. Sometimes we drive around, going…
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THE DAY SHE COULDN’T DRAW A CLOCK
I read this today and it touched me greatly. THE DAY SHE COULDN'T DRAW A CLOCK “From the memoir-in-progress by Michael J. Whelan The technician handed Rebecca a piece of paper and gave her what should have been a simple task. “Draw a clock,” he said gently. “Put the numbers where they belong, just like a regular clock…
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Tramadol Question
Hi All - So my mom is in assisted living on Hospice care for over a year now. She is in a Broda chair and they now use a Hoyer lift getting her into bed/shower etc. She is down to 95 pounds. I would say late stage 5 or early 6. She has been taking Tramadol 2x a day (morning and night). A Hospice nurse called and said that…
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Pisa syndrome (Pleurothotonus)
Hi friends. I haven't been on the site for a while, nor have I kept up with dementia related things. It is just over three years since I entered stage 8. So please take whatever I say with a grain of salt, and do your own research if needed. But I just wanted to pass this on in case it had not been discussed here. For…
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My sister has POA-medical. But we need DPOA for my mom, who has moderate Alzheimer's.
My mom can't make her own medical decisions due to advancing Alzheimer's. Right now my sister only has HIPPA-level access to my mom's medical info per the existing POA, which was drawn up years ago when she just had mild cog impairment as a dx . Do we need anything beyond a doctor's letter (or two?) and an eldercare lawyer…
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Mom is getting worse
She sleeps all the time, my family when they visit they wake her up to feed her. Then she goes to sleep. When I see her,all I see is pain and anguish in her eyes. I feel her pain and she says it with her eyes why am I alive? I seriously would have taken her off her medications and stopped feeding her years ago but my hands…
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Pill box questions
My father is still living on his own about 15-20 min away from myself and my siblings. Our mother passed away in December and he's getting adjusted. My sister bought him an electronic pill container with an alarm. She fills it once a week for him. He's still self sufficient and refuses to go into a facility of any kind…
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10 Absolutes in Dementia Care list
Recently shared by another member here. Thanks @Chug
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Recomendacion para un Geriatrico doctor que hable español en los angeles county?
Hola, mi mama (75) ayer fue diagnosticada con alzheimer's. Esta en las primeras etapas y el hipocampo apenas se esta agrandando. Tengo muchas preguntas pero no se ni donde empezar. Vivimos en los angeles, yo vivo con mi esposo y mi hermana mayor. Mi mama vive sola a 5min de nuestro apartamento y la visitamos diario. No…
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Long post. Beautifully written. 💜
From Michael J Whelan who is fighting cancer and his wife has Parkinson’s. “I'M SO TIRED! There’s a moment in this journey when denial dies quietly in the corner, and hope, the stubborn candle, flickers but does not go out. It is here when the neurologist stops suggesting, and starts testing. Not reflexes or memory games…
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Therapist for father who is primary caregiver
Looking for an organization that specializes in virtual therapy/psychology services for caregivers.
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From Kerrville, I Thank You ALL for your Thoughts and Prayers
Greetings everyone. My family and I are safe and accounted for. I'm sure you are aware of the tremendous damage in Central Texas. The loss of life is unimaginable and heartbreaking. I am grateful to everyone who has reached out. Your thoughts and prayers lift me up and keep me going. The community and I sincerely feel the…
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Long distance has separated us
Being long distant from a loved one has taken a toll. This has been a heartbreaking journey for all involved. Feeling hopeless and helpless and just want him here with us like he was planning on doing before Alzheimer's overtook him. Everyday is a struggle, everyday that goes by is a huge loss without him.I want to save…
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Post-hospital exhaustion for caregiver?
My father was in the hospital for two days last week. Admitted through the ER. There’s a lot to say about that—especially about the shocking lack of training by doctors to deal with a patient who has dementia—but right now I am looking for advice for myself. I was with him almost constantly in the hospital (it was…
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So many emotions
Hi All, I am reading so many posts that I can relate to and empathize with as the adult daughter of a 91 yo father with dementia. Mom just passed away in May and on June 30 I moved Dad to assisted living. He cannot be home alone and was constantly "looking for" lost keys, wallet, hearing aids, checkbook, or searching for…
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CELA question for those who have consulted
I am going to make an appt with a CELA soon eventhough we had our trust redone 6 months ago. I need to know answers about shielding assets in the event a MCF is needed in the future. I dont know if this is possible or if Medi-Cal is an option or if it even helps pay for sine MC costs. My question for all of you is: should…
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Alcohol
My 81 year old Husband has mid stage Alzheimer’s. He is still driving and basically independent. Unfortunately he’s forgotten how Alcohol (spirits) affects him. To avoid him hiding liquor I let him keep in in the pantry. Unfortunately it makes him feel better/brighter but I’ve come home 3 times last week and he’s drunk. We…